Which screening method is typically targeted toward individuals who show symptoms or have risk factors rather than the general population?

• A. Mass screening.
• B. Case finding.
• C. Surveillance.
• D. Multiphasic screening.

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is targeting screening to people who show symptoms or have risk factors rather than screening everyone. This approach, case finding, focuses on individuals who present with signs, symptoms, or known exposures and prompts diagnostic testing based on those factors. It’s efficient and practical because it concentrates resources where the likelihood of disease is higher, enabling timely detection without testing the entire population.

In contrast, mass screening tests everyone regardless of symptoms or risk, which can be resource-intensive. Multiphasic screening uses multiple tests on a broad group, not specifically guided by individual risk. Surveillance involves collecting and analyzing data on disease occurrence over time, rather than actively screening individuals.